Good Bridge and Fun

We stress good bridge and fun at The Bridge Center.
Players who are rude or disruptive will be given
the game schedules of our competitors.

Club Procedures

Doors open 30 minutes before game time.

When you arrive, please select a direction (N-S or E-W) at an available table
that matches your masterpoint level. This ensures a balanced field and maximum
masterpoints for all players.

Please write your name under the appropriate direction on the entry form
at the table and place your entry fee and the form inside the envelope. Table
numbers are assigned at starting time.

Entries are $9.00 for regular games. Club Championships are $9.50 and they
award additional masterpoints. Special games have additional fees to cover
the higher ACBL charges and they award additional masterpoints.

Open Games Our open games have no upper masterpoint limits and are
open to players at all masterpoint levels. Open games are timed events and
play 25-28 boards per session. We ask that our regular players welcome warmly
players from the limited masterpoint games as they venture into our open games
as well as all players new to the Club, and help them feel comfortable.

Limited Masterpoint GamesWednesday afternoon games have an upper masterpoint limit
of 500. We play 21-28 boards. These games allow social, newer and intermediate
players to play in a more relaxed atmosphere.

MasterpointsIf you are an ACBL member, your masterpoints are submitted
to ACBL at the end of each month. You qualify for masterpoints each time you
place in the top forty percent of your strat.

StratificationAll games are stratified. This means that we create sub-groups
of players that have fewer masterpoints than the group as a whole. For example,
a game might have three strats. Strat A is always the entire field. Strat
B might be all pairs in which at least one player has less than 1000 masterpoints,
and Strat C might be all pairs with both players having fewer than 300 masterpoints.
So, a pair with both players having fewer than 500 masterpoints competes in
all three strata. A pair with neither partner having over 1000 points and
one or both having over 500 points, competes in Strat B as well as Strat A.

Exact limits for strats vary depending on attendance.
Common limits for open games are Open/500/200, Open/750/300 or Open/1000/500.
For limited masterpoint games, the strats might be 500/200/100.

If your rank or status changes during the year, congratulations!
Please let us know so we can share your good news and update our database.

ScoresGame results and masterpoint lists are available at The
Hellenic Center and on the DCBA Website. Click on the Calendar link soon after
each game. If you would like a copy of the scores, just ask the director.
Score corrections are accepted until 15 minutes before the next scheduled
game.

Inclement WeatherPlease call(845) 463-2919 for a recorded message on game
status about two hours before start time during periods of inclement weather.
We seldom close!

ThermostatWe recommend you bring a sweater to use as needed. The
thermostat doesn't keep the temperature perfectly. Sweaters may be left on
the hangers.

File DrawerIf you would like to leave your convention cards or items
for other players, create a file in the cabinet. The files will be alphabetized
by last name.

RefreshmentsCoffee and snacks are complimentary. Soft drinks are
available in the refrigerator for 50¢.

Bridge ClassesBeginner, intermediate, and advanced classes are held
periodically. Let us know if you are interested.

Player Responsibilities

Please be considerate of your fellow players.

We start promptly. If you might be late to a game, please call. If a pair
or individual coming late causes significant changes to the movement, they
may not be allowed to play.

Duplicate bridge is a timed event. For allopen
games, one late play is allowed per pair; subsequent late plays become 2 match-
point penalties. Starting to play a hand after a round has been called holds
up the whole room while we all wait for your table to finish. You can "play
the hand fast" at the end, while the game is being scored. Any table
starting to bid or play a hand while the round is being called will be penalized
one full board (both pairs).

Speed up your game by making the lead before recording the contract
on your private score sheet.

When the move is called, if you are not finished playing,
please pass a board to the next table so they don't have to ask for one.

At the conclusion of the game, turn over all the cards for one hand of the
board and take the boards to the bookcase. Please pick up pencils, cups, napkins
and other trash at and around your table.

Please help keep your Club clean and attractive. Don't put anything on the
windowsills. Put your coffee cups and crumbs in the wastebasket. Please promptly
blot up coffee spills using the old towels by the fridge. Beverages will not
stain if promptly and thoroughly blotted up. Use a napkin under your cup to
prevent rings on the side tables.

If you can't empty your coffee cup in the rest room, then gently place it
upright in the trash container. Please don't pour liquids on the ground outside
the door.

Use the side tables for your refreshments to minimize possible spill damage
to the cards, boards and bid boxes. Don't put boards or bid boxes near coffee
cups.

The Center phone is for emergencies only. We are billed by time and distance
for each call. Please leave 25¢ in the dish each time your call goes
through. Please, don't call directory assistance as these calls cost over
$1.50 each.

Personal pagers and cell phones must be turned off during the game.

Smoking is prohibited by law in any part of the building, including the
lobby.

In support of Dutchess County's recycling efforts, we have containers to
hold office paper (convention cards), returnable cans and bottles, and non-returnable
cans and bottles.

The ACBL (The American Contract Bridge League)

The Bridge Center runs all types of ACBL games. While we encourage
membership in ACBL, both members and nonmembers are equally welcome to play
here.

If you wish to join ACBL, we will be happy to send your membership application
to ACBL for you, along with the masterpoints you have earned here for the
last 12 months. ACBL will record your masterpoints and send an informative
monthly magazine. First time members may join for $24 for the first year.
Regular dues are $35 per year.

If you are currently a member of ACBL and choose not to renew your membership,
the masterpoints you earn here will continue to accumulate in The Bridge Center
database, will count in stratification, and will be sent to ACBL, but ACBL
will not record them.